Microtube

ABSTRACT

A microtube comprises a sample receptor, a lid and a strip storage storing a chromatography strip. The chromatography strip is stored in a hollow part of the strip storage. The hollow part of the strip storage and an inner space of the sample receptor may be communicated in a closed condition under a state where the sample receptor and the lid are engaged.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/498,164 filed on Sep. 26, 2019, which is aNational Stage of International Application No. PCT/JP2018/012339 filedMar. 27, 2018, which claims the benefit of priority from Japanese PatentApplication No. 2017-062288 filed on Mar. 28, 2017, the disclosures ofall of which are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates a microtube, particularly to a microtubefor executing a biochemical reaction.

BACKGROUND

For example, there is a microtube for executing a biochemical reaction,such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction). In addition, a technology foranalyzing a result of a biochemical reaction has been established with achromatography strip, such as a lateral flow strip (Patent Literature(PTL) 1).

-   PTL: JP Patent Application Publication JP 2015-230280A

SUMMARY

The following analysis has been made according to a view of the presentinvention. Herein, the disclosure of the Prior Art Literature above isincorporated into this application by reference thereto.

There is a situation where a sample, for example, cells and blood, issubjected to direct PCR for examination of virus infection. In a casewhere PCR result is analyzed with a chromatography strip, such as thatdisclosed in Patent Literature 1 above, an operator uncaps a microtubefor applying the chromatography strip to sample solution, for example,as illustrated in FIG. 6. At that time, the microtube has a possibilityto include remaining sample infected by the virus, thus the operator isrequired to care about secondary infection due to splash of the samplesolution and the like.

Therefore, it is a purpose of the present invention to provide amicrotube with which a risk of secondary infection may be reduced.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda microtube comprising a sample receptor, a lid and a strip storagestoring a chromatography strip, wherein

the chromatography strip is stored in a hollow part of the stripstorage,

the hollow part of the strip storage and an inner space of the samplereceptor may be communicated in a closed condition under a state wherethe sample receptor and the lid are engaged.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a microtube with which a risk of secondary infection may bereduced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A-FIG. 1C are explanatory views of a schema of a microtube 10 ofone exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2A-FIG. 2B are exemplary views of a microtube 10 of a firstexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3A-FIG. 3C are exemplary views of a microtube 10 of a secondexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of a microtube 10 of a third exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 5A-5C are exemplary views of a microtube 10 of a fourth exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view for a conventional technology.

PREFERRED MODES

Preferable exemplary embodiments of the present invention will beexplained with reference to drawings. Herein, reference signs in thefollowing description are expediently attached to each element as anexplanatory aid for understanding, but not for limitation of the presentinvention to an illustrated configuration.

A microtube 10 comprises a sample receptor 11, a lid 12 and a stripstorage 13. A chromatography strip 14 is stored in a hollow part of thestrip storage 13. The hollow part of the strip storage 13 and an innerspace of the sample receptor 11 may be communicated in a closed stateunder a situation where the sample receptor and the lid has beenengaged.

A concrete example will be explained. The strip storage 13 is jointedwith the lid 12 at its top as illustrated in FIG. 1A. A biochemicalreaction for sample solution in the sample receptor 11, such as PCR(polymerase chain reaction), is executed under a state where the samplereceptor 11 and the lid 12 has been engaged as illustrated in FIG. 1B.Under such state, the hollow part of the strip storage 13 and the innerspace of the sample receptor 11 are communicated in a closed state.Therefore, after completion of the biochemical reaction, thechromatography strip 14 may be inserted into the sample receptor 11while keeping the closed state of the inner space of the sample receptor11 as shown in FIG. 1C. Herein, the chromatography strip 14 may fallinto the sample receptor 11 with gravity force or may be pushed into thesample receptor 11 by compressing the strip storage 13.

That is, in the microtube 10 above, when the sample solution is appliedto the chromatography strip 14, it is not required to disengage the lid12, thus a risk of secondary infection due to splash of the samplesolution and the like may be reduced.

First Exemplary Embodiment

In a microtube 10 of a first exemplary embodiment, the lid 12 and thestrip storage 13 have an integrated configuration, where thechromatography strip 14 is enclosed in the hollow part of the stripstorage 13. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the lid 12 and thestrip storage 13 have an integrated configuration made of polypropyleneand the like, and the lid 12 is provided with a hole part at the centerthereof, which will become an opening part for the strip storage 13. Thehole part is covered with a thin film 15. Thus, the hollow part of thestrip storage 13 is sealed in a state storing the chromatography strip14. The strip storage 13 has a bellows section 16, thus it isstretchable and contractable.

After completion of the biochemical reaction, the hollow part of thestrip storage 13 and the inner space of the sample receptor 11 arebrought into communication by breaking through the lid 12 with thechromatography strip 14 under a state where the sample receptor 11 hasbeen engaged with the lid 12. Concretely, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, thebellows section 16 is compressed in axis direction for shortening thestrip storage, and then the chromatography strip 14 breaks through thethin film 15. As a result, the hollow part of the strip storage 13 andthe inner space of the sample receptor 11 is brought into communicationwhile keeping the closed state. In such situation, the chromatographystrip 14 may be inserted into the inner space of the sample receptor 11so as to contact to the sample solution.

That is, in the microtube 10 of the first exemplary embodiment, it isnot required to disengage the lid 12 upon application of the samplesolution to the chromatography strip 14, thus a risk of secondaryinfection due to splash of the sample solution may be reduced. Inaddition, the risk of secondary infection may be reduced in a point thatthe microtube 10 may be disposed as it is after analysis of a result ofthe biochemical reaction. Furthermore, a work for disengaging the lid 12may be also omitted.

Herein, in the first exemplary embodiment, it is important that thechromatography strip 14 stored in the hollow part of the strip storage13 is able to be inserted into the inner space of the sample receptor11, thus a variety of modified modes may be brought into consideration.

For example, the position of the bellows section 16 may be changedtaking a property of the chromatography strip 14 into consideration.That is, in a case where the chromatography strip 14 is used, a resultof the biochemical reaction is determined by appearance or absence of amarker (line) on a membrane. Thus, the position of the bellows section16 may be pertinently changed so that the marker (line) may be visuallyrecognized. In addition, the bellows section 16 itself is not essential.For example, the strip storage 13 may be made of a flexible material,such as rubber, so that it may be shortened. Furthermore, the stripstorage 13 may have a thin layer section so as to provide a flexibilityfor shortening.

The strip storage 13 may be made of a transparent material so that themarker (line) on the membrane is visually recognized, and a monitoringwindow may also be provided.

In addition, the chromatography strip 14 is desired to have at least arigidity to an extent capable of breaking through the thin film 15, thusmay have various configurations, for example, a plastic bar to which themembrane is attached. Furthermore, the chromatography strip 14 may beprovided with a tip end part so as to easily break through the thin film15. Also, the chromatography strip 14 may be a glass strip on whichsilica gel etc. are applied, like as a thin layer chromatography.

The thin film 15 may be integrated with the lid 12. That is, theconstruction of the lid 12 may be modified based on the rigidity of thechromatography strip 14. In addition, the sample receptor 11 may beintegrated with the strip storage 13 so that chromatography strip 14brakes through a wall of the sample receptor 11.

The sample solution is not limited to PCR reaction solution. That is,the sample may be a sample developed by chromatography, thus a nucleicacid sample, protein, carbohydrate chain and the like may be applied. Inaddition, a container storing solvent for chromatography may be attachedto the microtube 10.

Second Exemplary Embodiment

In the microtube 10 of the first exemplary embodiment, the inner spaceof the sample receptor 11 is separated from the hollow part of the stripstorage 13 with the thin film 15 during PCR reaction. Such configurationis for purposes of keeping evaporated sample solution in the inner spaceof the sample receptor 11 during PCR reaction, and preventing theevaporated sample solution from contacting to the chromatography strip14. However, the separation of the inner space of the sample receptor 11from the hollow part of the strip storage 13 may be realized withoutusing the thin film 15. For example, a communication part 17 may beprovided, which transiently allows the hollow part of the strip storage13 to communicate with the inner space of the sample receptor 11.

A concrete example will be explained as second exemplary embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 3A, the lid 12 of the microtube 10 has anapproximately half circle shape so as to be fit with a heat conductingsyringe 18 of a heating lid (hot lid) provided on a thermal cycler. Ahole part is provided at a center section of the lid 12 of the microtube10, and a tubular communication part 17 joints the hole part with thestrip storage 13. The communication part 17 is made of an elasticmaterial, such as polypropylene. Thereby, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, thecommunication part 17 is pinched (in other words, pressed) by the heatconducting syringe 18 when the microtube 10 is set on the thermalcycler. As a result, the inner space of the sample receptor 11 isseparated from the hollow part of the strip storage 13.

When the microtube 10 is taken from the thermal cycler, the inner spaceof the sample receptor 11 is brought into communication with the hollowpart of the strip storage 13 again. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 3C, thechromatography strip 14 may be inserted into the inner space of thesample receptor 11 so as to contact to the sample solution.

Herein, in the second exemplary embodiment, it is important that thehollow part of the strip storage 13 is transiently separated from theinner space of the sample receptor 11, thus various modifications may beconsidered.

For example, the separation of the hollow part of the strip storage 13from the inner space of the sample receptor 11 may be realized bypinching the communication part 17 with a pinch cock.

In addition, not only for PCR reaction, but also for the otherbiochemical reactions, it is desired to separate the hollow part of thestrip storage 13 from the inner space of the sample receptor 11. Thatis, the microtube 10 is not limited to a PCR tube.

Third Exemplary Embodiment

In the first and second exemplary embodiments, the cases are explained,where the chromatography strip 14 is inserted into the inner space ofthe sample receptor 11 so as to contact to sample solution. However, thesample solution may be transferred from the sample receptor 11 to thestrip storage 13 so that the sample solution is brought into contact tothe chromatography strip 14.

A concrete example will be explained as third exemplary embodiment. Asillustrated in FIG. 4, the sample receptor 11 may be turned upside downso that the sample solution is transferred to the hollow part of thestrip storage 13. Herein, the chromatography strip 14 may be fixed ontothe strip storage 13 so that it does not move. In addition, the stripstorage 13 may be provided with a liquid chamber (reservoir) part wherethe sample solution is accumulated.

Fourth Exemplary Embodiment

In the first to third exemplary embodiments, the strip storage 13 isintegrated with the microtube 10. However, the strip storage 13 may havea separated configuration from the microtube 10 in a manner capable ofbeing jointed with the microtube 10.

A concrete example will be explained as the fourth exemplary embodiment.As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the microtube 10 is integrally provided witha lid 12 and a female joint. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, thestrip storage 13 is provided with a male joint 20 to be jointed with thefemale joint 19. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the femalejoint 19 and the male joint 20 are engaged in a snap fit manner or ascrew manner. Herein, when the female joint 19 and the male joint 20 areengaged and then the chromatography strip 14 is inserted into the innerspace of the sample receptor 11, the hollow part of the strip storage 13and the inner space of the sample receptor 11 are brought intocommunication while keeping a closed state.

As explained above, the strip storage 13 may be a separatedconfiguration from the microtube 10, where it is possible to be jointedto the microtube 10. Therefore, for example, the strip storage 13 may beseparated from the microtube 10 during PCR, thus the strip storage 13does not cause objection upon PCR.

A part or entire of the exemplary embodiments may be described asfollows, but not limited thereto.

(Mode 1)

A microtube comprising a sample receptor, a lid and a strip storagestoring a chromatography strip, wherein,

the chromatography strip is stored in a hollow part of the stripstorage, and

under a state where the sample receptor and the lid are engaged, thehollow part of the strip storage and an inner space of the samplereceptor may be communicated in a closed state.

(Mode 2)

The microtube according to Mode 1, wherein

the lid and the strip storage have an integrated configuration, wherethe chromatography strip is enclosed in the hollow part of the stripstorage,

the hollow part of the strip storage and the inner space of the samplereceptor are brought into communication by breaking through the lid withthe chromatography strip under a state where the sample receptor hasbeen engaged with the lid.

(Mode 3)

The microtube according to Mode 2, wherein the strip storage has abellows section so as to be stretchable and contractable.

(Mode 4)

The microtube according to Mode 1 further comprising a communicationpart which transiently separates the hollow part of the strip storagefrom the inner space of the sample receptor.

(Mode 5)

The microtube according to Mode 4, wherein the communication part ismade of an elastic material.

(Mode 6)

The microtube according to Mode 4 or 5, wherein the chromatography stripis fixed onto the strip storage.

(Mode 7)

The microtube according to Mode 4 or 5, wherein the strip storagecomprises a liquid chamber part.

(Mode 8)

A biochemical reaction kit comprising the microtube a according to anyone of Modes 1 to 7.

(Mode 9)

A method for analyzing a result of a biochemical reaction with themicrotube according to any one of Modes 1 to 7.

Herein, disclosure of the above Patent Literature is incorporated in thepresent application. The exemplary embodiments or examples may bemodified or adjusted within the scope of the entire disclosure of thepresent invention, inclusive of claims, based on the fundamentaltechnical concept of the invention. In addition, a variety ofcombinations or selection of elements disclosed herein, inclusive eachelement in each claim, each element in each example, each element ineach drawing etc., may be made within the claims of the presentinvention. That is, the present invention may cover a wide variety ofmodifications or corrections that may be made by those skilled in theart in accordance with the entire disclosure of the present invention,inclusive of claims, and the technical concept of the present invention.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   10 microtube-   11 sample receptor-   12 lid-   13 strip storage-   14 chromatography strip-   15 thin film-   16 bellows section-   17 communication part-   18 heat conducting syringe of thermal cycler-   19 female joint-   20 male joint

What is claimed is:
 1. A microtube, comprising: a sample receptor, alid, and a joint which is arranged on at least one of the samplereceptor and the lid, and to which a strip storage storing achromatography strip may be jointed, wherein, under a state where thesample receptor and the lid are engaged and the strip storage is jointedto the joint, a hollow part of the strip storage and an inner space ofthe sample receptor are brought into communication in a closed state bybreaking through the sample receptor or the lid with the chromatographystrip.
 2. A strip storage, comprising: a second joint and a stripstorage enclosing a chromatography strip, wherein the second joint maybe jointed to a first joint arranged on at least one of a samplereceptor and a lid of a microtube comprising the sample receptor and thelid, and under a state where the second joint is jointed to the firstjoint, a hollow part of the strip storage and an inner space of thesample receptor are brought into communication in a closed state bybreaking through the sample receptor or the lid with the chromatographystrip.
 3. The strip storage according to claim 2, wherein the stripstorage has a bellows section so as to be stretchable and contractable.4. The strip storage according to claim 2, wherein the chromatographystrip comprises a bar member.
 5. The strip storage according to claim 2,wherein the chromatography strip comprises a tip end part that breaksthrough the lid part.